Patents by Inventor William L. Spencer

William L. Spencer has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 7673556
    Abstract: A coffee maker is provided that is structured to control the temperature of water entering the brewing area, releasably secure a coffee pot in the coffee maker, detect the presence or absence of a coffee pot or mug in the coffee maker, provide a seal between the brewing basket and coffee maker to prevent excess steam from escaping and provide a water supply pressure detection system. A structure for preventing water leaking from an in-wall coffee maker from entering a wall cavity is also provided. A system and method of filtering sediment from water supplied to a coffee maker or other appliance is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2010
    Inventor: William L. Spencer
  • Publication number: 20090090246
    Abstract: According to an example embodiment, a coffee maker includes a housing, the housing structured to hold a carafe in a first position within a brewing area of the coffee maker. The coffee maker further includes a brewbasket adapted to connect to the housing and a locking mechanism. The locking mechanism is structured to engage the carafe and lock it into the first position in the brewing area, such that the carafe remains in the first position relative to the brewbasket, and the brew basket remains in first position locked directly to the housing by the locking mechanism as a second position of the brewbasket changes with respect to a reference point that is external to the coffee maker.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 8, 2008
    Publication date: April 9, 2009
    Inventor: WILLIAM L. SPENCER
  • Patent number: 7367260
    Abstract: A coffee maker includes a housing, the housing of the coffee maker shaped and configured to fit within a wall cavity inside a wall and attach to one or more wall structures, the housing including an integral mounting structure having engagement structures to engage the one or more wall structures. The coffee maker unit further includes an in-line water heater located within the housing to receive a supply of water from plumbing that is external to the housing and a brewing area located within the housing to contain a supply of coffee grounds and to receive water from the water heater. The coffee maker further includes a coffee pot receptacle configured to support a coffee pot at least partially within the wall cavity such that the coffee pot is located to receive coffee from the brewing area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2008
    Inventor: William L. Spencer
  • Patent number: 7093532
    Abstract: An in-wall coffee maker includes a coffee maker unit received in a mounting structure mounted within a wall cavity. The mounting structure includes engagement tabs to enable engagement of the mounting box to one or more wall structures and attachment flanges or tabs with apertures to receive fasteners from mating apertures in the coffee maker unit to attach the coffee maker unit in the mounting structure. The in-wall coffee maker unit can also include a metered water connection to facilitate a self-filling capability.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2006
    Inventor: William L. Spencer
  • Patent number: 6892626
    Abstract: An in-wall coffee maker includes a coffee maker unit received in a mounting structure mounted within a wall cavity. The mounting structure includes engagement tabs to enable engagement of the mounting box to one or more wall structures and attachment flanges or tabs with apertures to receive fasteners from mating apertures in the coffee maker unit to attach the coffee maker unit in the mounting structure. The in-wall coffee maker unit can also include a metered water connection to facilitate a self-filling capability.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2005
    Inventor: William L. Spencer
  • Publication number: 20040250685
    Abstract: An in-wall coffee maker includes a coffee maker unit received in a mounting structure mounted within a wall cavity. The mounting structure includes engagement tabs to enable engagement of the mounting box to one or more wall structures and attachment flanges or tabs with apertures to receive fasteners from mating apertures in the coffee maker unit to attach the coffee maker unit in the mounting structure. The in-wall coffee maker unit can also include a metered water connection to facilitate a self-filling capability.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 12, 2004
    Publication date: December 16, 2004
    Inventor: William L. Spencer
  • Publication number: 20030205144
    Abstract: An in-wall coffee maker includes a coffee maker unit received in a mounting structure mounted within a wall cavity. The mounting structure includes engagement tabs to enable engagement of the mounting box to one or more wall structures and attachment flanges or tabs with apertures to receive fasteners from mating apertures in the coffee maker unit to attach the coffee maker unit in the mounting structure. The in-wall coffee maker unit can also include a metered water connection to facilitate a self-filling capability.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 25, 2002
    Publication date: November 6, 2003
    Inventor: William L. Spencer
  • Patent number: 6253663
    Abstract: An in-wall coffee maker includes a coffee maker unit received in a mounting structure mounted within a wall cavity. The mounting structure includes engagement tabs to enable engagement of the mounting box to one or more wall structures and attachment flanges or tabs with apertures to receive fasteners from mating apertures in the coffee maker unit to attach the coffee maker unit in the mounting structure. The in-wall coffee maker unit can also include a metered water connection to facilitate a self-filling capability.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2001
    Inventor: William L. Spencer
  • Patent number: D504591
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2005
    Inventor: William L. Spencer
  • Patent number: D505292
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2005
    Inventor: William L. Spencer